Think tanks deliver first recommendations

Jakarta, Indonesia: The National Economic Committee (KEN) and the National Innovation Committee (KIN) delivered their first recommendations to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President, Indonesia.

KIN presented 15 recommendations, four of which were approved by the President. KIN chairman Zuhal said, “We recommend IT-based defence and security, such as, by developing GIS, and that the government establish centres for our creative small and medium industries to enable them to develop and compete at the global level.”

Zuhal added that KIN also recommended the government to develop a biotechnology-based food industry.

KEN chairman Chairul Tanjung said that it would be a good idea for the government to develop a state balance sheet, which would provide thorough information on state’s assets and liabilities instead of mere revenues and expenditures regularly specified in the annual state budget.

KIN’s members include some university rectors and former ministers, while KEN’s members are prominent Indonesian economists and business persons. Their initial mandate is valid until 2014.